This One Is For The Working Moms

Ya’ll know I believe that honesty is the best policy, so I’m gonna keep it real...today has been hard on this Momma, like HARD, HARD!  I kinda thrive on chaos, so the daily three-ring circus doesn’t typically bother me.  I fully realize that I have a lot going on and that it’s not humanly possible to be everything to everyone, so as long as my people are good, I’m staying on top of my responsibilities at work, and I am walking with the Lord, I can let most other things go.  MOST DAYS.  But if I’m being completely honest, every now and then, it gets to me.  Some days I just want someone to say to me, “You know what? You’re doing a good job.”  The thing is, that’s not how life works, so if you’re like me and needing a little encouragement today, let me be your cheerleader.

Dear Working Mom,

I see you.  You’re signing agendas, handing out lunch money, and waving wildly while you blow  kisses out the window in the car-rider line because you were a little too harsh this morning when those babies wouldn’t get their shoes on, brush their teeth and were whining about the breakfast you served.  So now, you’re feeling guilty and want to make sure they know they’re loved, and you’re sorry, and that one day you’ll play like a real team, and mornings won’t be so crazy.

I see you.  You’re trying to stay within the speed limit and call your Momma on the way to work cause who knows when you’ll get the chance to have an uninterrupted conversation again before bedtime rolls around.

I see you working through lunch so that you can make it to the school play, school party, or recognition ceremony.  I see you rushing into the event late, leaving early and looking a little disheveled because juggling it all is exhausting.  

I see you at the ballpark in your work clothes and high heels because there’s no time to run home before the big game.  I see you cheering for your player, checking your email, and caring for your other children whenever there's a down moment in the action.

I see you wrangling everyone into the car so that you can finish the homework, serve the fast-food dinner, and make sure everyone is bathed all within the next hour because you need five minutes of quiet before you fall into the bed and start it all over before the sun rises the next day.

I see you.  

You are amazing.  You are brave and strong and capable.   You are my hero.  You might think you’re failing, but you’re not.  In fact, I believe you are modeling grace to those little eyes that are watching so closely.  When you ask forgiveness for the harsh words, you’re teaching humility.  When you make it to that classroom party (abiet 15 minutes late), you’re showing those babies that they’re the most important priority in your life and that sacrifice is part of love - both for them and for you.  When you leave the pile of laundry one more day to attend the ballgame, you’re teaching your children how to choose the “best yes.”  When you’re overwhelmed and cry out in frustration but keep on trucking, you’re teaching them endurance and strength.  When they get up too early or come into the family room when they’re supposed to be in bed and see you sitting in your favorite spot with your Bible open and you’re prayer journal in your lap, you’re teaching how to run this race with endurance.

I see you...and so do they.  So keep on going.  Keep showing up.  Keep apologizing.  Keep loving.  Keep doing what you’re doing because this gig is hard sometimes. And take a moment to encourage the other momma’s along the way.  Whether you work full-time or part-time; whether you work because you want to or because you have to, I see you. And you are doing an amazing job.

When you don’t think you can do it another day, just know that I’m in your corner.  We’re all in this with you...it’s a sisterhood of sorts, and I am so honored to walk it with you.